PUR Water Filter Review (2018’s Top 5 Products)

When I pour a glass of water from the tap I always have the same reaction: “why did I just drink pool water?” Around the world chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water, which is why I use a PUR water filter to remove the chlorinated taste that makes me think I’m drinking bleach.

You are able to storeover one quart of filtered water stored in a pitcher, you can keep it cold in your fridge or available at room temperature on your counter top

It has a dispenser nozzle at the base of the pitcher allowing you and your familyto easily pour water into your cup or bottle

This extra large pitcher is an excellent choice for a larger family or even a for a small office staff room

It has a nice large reservoir on top so you can filter most of your water at one time

It has a sleek width of less than 6’’ so even though it is a very large pitcher it doesn’t hog too much fridge or countertop space

Cons

It can be cumbersome to pour when you don’t use the spigot at the base of the unit

The pitcher can be quite heavy once completely filled

When refilling the pitcher it takes multiple times as the top reservoir will not hold all 18 cups at one time

The top piece that seats the filter into the pitcher can sometimes form such a tight seal it can cause the water to drip so slowly and even stop (an easy fix for this is to leave the lid or prop the top piece up a bit while the water is filtering)

Sometimes the plastic in the lid and the spigot can crack if mistreated

This pitcher is smaller than any of the others we are reviewing today it could save you space on your countertop or may even fit in your refrigerator door

The lid fits snugly on top and doesn’t come off when pouring, even if the reservoir is still filling up, as long as you have all the parts set in firmly

The LED indicator light reminds you when to switch the filter out; it will flash green, yellow or red everytime you pour a glass of water to let you know when it is clean, almost time for a change or needs to be changed ASAP -- so you never have to worry about your filter going bad

Cons

You may have to fill up the reservoir2 – 2 ½ times in order to completely fill up your pitcher with clean water to capacity; as the top portion of the pitcher is quite small

Even when completely filled with filtered water, 7 cups is still likely to be less than the amount of water you will consume in one day, you may even have to refill it several times a day

7 cups is less than the amount of water required to fill up a standard 8 cup coffee maker

Since the reservoir is fairly small sometimes when you pour water into the top to be filtered if you’re not careful the water can splash off of the filter cartridge itself and out onto the counter top

The LED light may be prematurely telling you that you need to replace your filter because thelight on this particular style of pitcher counts every time the lid is tilted as a “pour” even if you are just moving the pitcher around a bit or refilling. It counts this as a “use”

This unit may be a good choice for you if you want to have clean water directly from your faucet but don’t want to spend the money on a whole house filtration unit.

Cons

May need a special metal adapter/aerator to prevent leaks (PUR / P&G will send to you for free).

The chrome finish may be made from a less sturdy material than the white and grey models and that can leak or break after several months of use (but if it is within 2 years then it is still under manufacturer’s warranty).

You may need to have a little handyman's know-how to install this, you must remove the old washer from your faucet and install the new one with the adapter, or your faucet may leak.

If you don’t change your filter regularly or install it properly pressure could possibly build up in the unit and it could break.

The horizontal faucet hook up also comes in chrome, grey and white finishes.

The horizontal orientation keeps the filter spout further away from the kitchen faucet than the vertical version.

This style filter cartridge refill is the same as the vertical style mentioned above.

Comes with a 2 year warranty.

Little knob on the right hand side of the unit allows filtered or unfiltered water to flow through your faucet.The newer design of this product is more sturdily attached to your faucet than older versions.

The newer design of this product is more sturdily attached to your faucet than older versions.

Cons

Horizontal orientation may get in the way of using the sink, depending on the layout of your kitchen.

You might have to be a little bit handy with this one as well or ask a friend who is good with a wrench and with following instructions.

This model comes with a plastic aerator/adapter piece made of plastic that is prone to breaking and cracking under pressure – PUR will send you a replacement adapter made of metal instead of plastic should you call and request it.

This pitcher may work for one heavy water drinker, two moderate, or 3-4 average water consumers such as two adults and one or two young children.

I love that the 11 cup PUR pitcher has a flip open top, which means I don’t have to remove entire top of pitcher to fill it up.

This dispenser has a narrow spout for accurate and easy pouring.

There is a firm fit of the top portion of the pitcher allowing you to fill water without worrying about the unfiltered water spilling over and cross-contaminating the already filtered water.

Cons

11 cups of water can be heavy to carry around and lift up to try and pour.

Because of the weight of the water, sometimes the handle can crack after prolonged use if you don’t support the bottom of the pitcher. This may not be for you if you don’t want to have to worry about holding the pitcher from the bottom every time you pour water.

You will have to fill the top reservoir portion 2-3 times in order to fill the bottom portion to capacity with clean water.

With all things considered, the PUR 18 Cup Water Dispenser Filtration System appears to be the winner; we really appreciate the spigot this unit features. No other PUR water filter has the convenience of a pour-spout at the bottom of its pitcher. I love having over a quart of chilled, clean water waiting for me in my fridge plus the kids can easily help themselves to fresh water anytime they want.

Whether you want a PUR water filter for cleaner tasting water or for health benefits, your individual needs and the needs of your family are unique to you, and I’m sure this list will help you on your journey.

How PUR water filters work?

The PUR water filters use a primarily carbon based filtration system, actually derived from coconuts, to remove contaminants from your water.

The PUR water filters are able to reduce and remove many contaminants such as lead, mercury, chlorine, pollutants, minerals and pharmaceuticals from your water.

Types of PUR water filters: Stand alone pitchers

There are two main types of water filtration we will be comparing today: stand alonewater pitchers and faucet filtration systems.

PUR water pitchers have removable top and filter cartridge, which you fill up with water and let trickle down into the pitcher. After the water has been filtered you pour it from the pitcher directly into your cup, coffee maker or cooking pot.

PUR water pitchers come in a variety of sizes and they come with a 90 day limited warranty. One great feature about the pitchers is that all of their filter cartridge replacements are the same.

There will be no more standing in the grocery aisle or clicking endlessly online trying to figure out which filter fits your pitcher. All of the pitchers take the CRF-950Z cartridge and the best part I think about all of this is that the old filters are completely recyclable.(9)

The PUR water pitchers can typically filter about 40 gallons of water and last approximately 1 – 2 months depending on your usage. Another thing I love about the pitchers is they are easy to place in therefrigerator. This is a great option for me because I love cold water, especially after a workout or a hot day in the garden.

Types of PUR water filters: Faucet filtration systems

If you love the idea of having clean drinkable water flow from your faucets then a faucet hook up may be a good choice for you. I love the fact that I save on valuable counter space and I don’t have to remember to refill the pitcher’s reservoir.

Another bonus to these faucet filtration systems is that they filter more water on average over a longer period of time than the pitchers. They can handle purifying up to 100 gallons of water over a 3 month period.

The faucet filtration systems from PUR are NSF certified to remove over 71 contaminants. Since they are an appliance they come with a 2 year limited warranty from the manufacturer. Both the pitcher and faucet appliance filters leave fluoride in the water.

You need water for basic survival

You’ve heard it before haven’t you? Our bodies are comprised of 50% - 75% water and you need to be drinking somewhere between 6 – 8 glasses of that good ol’ H20 per day to keep our bodies functioning properly andour systems running smoothly.(1) There is evidence that humans have been cleansing their drinking water since ancient times! (2)

Methods of treating water have been recorded as early as 4000 B.C. Ancient Greek and Sanskrit writings recommended treating water by boiling, leaving in the sunlight and even filtering through charcoal. In the mid-1800s, scientists finally made a link between “dirty” water and the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera. But it wasn’t until 1908 in Jersey City, NJ, USA that they realized you could actually decontaminate drinking water by using chlorine (3)

Where has your water been lately?

Take a moment to think about the pipes your tap water is running through. How far away is the local water treatment plant from your home? What distance is the water traveling underground as it twists and turns through pipes before it reaches your house? How old are those pipes?

For your health, you need to filter your water once it comes to your home! Sure, the water has been treated but that treatment doesn’t remove trace amounts of pharmaceuticals and other toxins that are present in water reservoirs due to improper handling and disposal of medications.

Howwater treatment plants clean our water

Today the water treatment process is much the same all over the developed world. The larger particles are removed by allowing them to settle while the clear water flows on to continue in the treatment process. This is a process called coagulation and clarification/flocculation. The water is then chemically treated with chlorine. Chlorine disinfectsany living bacteria and prevents new organisms from spawning in the treated water. (4) (AU 5); (EU 6); (US 7) Chlorine can be harmful and even fatal if large amounts are ingested or inhaled. (8)

How to pick the best filter for your family

Since there are so many different types of PUR water filtration systems to choose from, the task can seem daunting. To start, think about how much water your family goes through in a day, a month? Are you willing to refill a pitcher’s reservoir; or is it more appealing to go to your faucet and flip a switch?

Also, consider the amount of filtered water you use for daily drinking, cooking, pets’ water and even houseplants. If you want to wash your hands and your dishes with filtered water in addition to drinking and cooking then you might consider the idea of a faucet filtration system. On the other hand, if you love ice cold water you may be better off with a pitcher that you can fill up and keep in the refrigerator.